North Fort Myers Neighbor Living | Southwest Florida Ag Expo to showcase youth involvement
The Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair, a tradition for generations, has been rebranded this year as the Southwest Florida Ag Expo to put the spotlight on area youth.
It’s an exciting change, said event spokesperson Miriam Dotson of the Visitor & Convention Bureau.
Set for Feb. 29, through March 10, the Ag Expo will feature 4-H, a program involves the youth, education and activities with 373 participants this year.
4-H has a long and rich history in Lee County.
A Cattle Club, the first 4-H club in Lee County was established on Pine Island in the 1920s.
Lee County hired the first 4-H agent in 1972.
Lee County Parks & Recreation Operations Manager Lisa Weaver said after speaking with members of the community after the county took over the fair operation their interest was apparent — showcasing the youth and livestock portion while highlighting the agricultural community.
The event is intended to spotlight the kids who are working really hard on their projects and showing off their animals, she said.
“That is the whole real reason — to showcase these kids, so they feel like the VIPs of the event,” Weaver said.
“It is going to be a good show,” Weaver added. “Many of them show multiple animals.”
Other fair favorites, including the midway, will be included as well.
Reithoffer Shows Inc., which does numerous events in the state of Florida, is bringing in some rides that have not been showcased in the circuit yet, Weaver said, adding they have been a really good partner, and they are excited to bring something new to the community.
There also will be skills exhibits featuring a variety of artisans.
“There will be a midway with rides, creative living events — quilting, knitting and crafting,” Dotson said as they want to pay attention to the arts as well.
Live entertainment also will return.
This year’s lineup includes The Del Prados; One Man Band with Marc Dobson; Tadpole the Clown; Jurassic Kingdom Lockdown; the Moogician; Cowboy Camp with Les McDowell; Michael Felk’s Tinsmithing Show; Kids Foam Zone & Gameshow; Porkchop Revue; Pirate Man Down; Agricadabra Magic & Hypnosis Show and Roger Arahamson the Giant Bowl Turner and Reggie Delarm East Knoll Pottery.
Another new component of the expo is work to expand parking and overflow parking which, in the past, has been one of the biggest challenges.
“We are working on providing additional overflow parking across the street on 31. We are really excited to be able to offer that. All parking on both sides will be free, no parking charges,” Weaver said.
The expo will continue the mega passes, $25, which can be purchased until Feb. 29.
“That is your gate admission, as well as unlimited rides for one single day,” Weaver said.
General gate admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 4 to 11 years old and free for children 3 and younger.
Promotional nights will include:
• Opening Day, Thursday, Feb. 29, gates open at 4 p.m. for $1 gate admission.
• Sensory Friendly Day, Friday, March 1, gates open at 4 p.m. From 4-6 p.m. sensory friendly $0 gate admission and at 6 p.m. regular gate admission.
• Moonlight Magic, Friday, March 1, and Friday, March 8, from 8 p.m. to midnight $30 admission, which includes ride wristband.
• Community Night, Monday, March 4, gates open at 4 p.m. Free admission with three canned food items for Harry Chapin Food Bank, $5 gate admission, $25 ride wristband.
• Senior Day, Wednesday, March 6, gates open at 4 p.m., regular admission, and $5 for 50 years old and older, $25 ride wristband.
• Latin Day, Sunday, March 10, gates open at 11 a.m., regular admission and $40 ride wristband.
The expo will be held at the Lee County Civic Center Complex, 11831 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers.
For more information visit swflagexpo.com, or follow its Facebook page, SWFL Ag Expo.
“We recommend people bookmark the website. We will continue to add more information – entertainment lineup, pass information, tickets will all be available on the website,” Weaver said, adding to also check Facebook, as they will be pushing information out there as well. NFMNL
This story appears in the latest issue of the North Fort Myers Neighbor Living magazine, available at locations throughout North Fort Myers.